Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Tofacitinib
Severity: Moderate
Erythromycin and Tofacitinib: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Erythromycin may increase tofacitinib exposure by inhibiting CYP3A4. The increase with moderate inhibitors is modest but may add to immunosuppression and infection risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Tofacitinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Tofacitinib belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 inhibition by erythromycin reduces tofacitinib metabolism.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor alone; monitor for infection and cytopenias. Reduce the tofacitinib dose if a potent CYP2C19 inhibitor is also taken.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tofacitinib
- Baricitinib + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Tofacitinib + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Abatacept + Tofacitinib Major
- Anti-thymocyte + Tofacitinib Major
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Tofacitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Tofacitinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erythromycin and Tofacitinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Erythromycin may increase tofacitinib exposure by inhibiting CYP3A4. The increase with moderate inhibitors is modest but may add to immunosuppression and infection risk.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Tofacitinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor alone; monitor for infection and cytopenias. Reduce the tofacitinib dose if a potent CYP2C19 inhibitor is also taken.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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